Best Medication For ADHD

Most children and teenagers who are taking ADHD medication notice they focus better and are less impulsive. They also feel more calm and are able to get on with their schoolwork. Some suffer a slight slowing of growth and experience an increase in heart rate or blood pressure when taking these drugs.

There are many different types of medicines, including tablets, liquids, patches, and capsules (such as Daytrana). Adderall (methylphenidate) is the most popular stimulant. It's available as immediate-release dextroamphetamine, sustained-release amphetamine, and dextroamphetamine with extended release.

Stimulants

Stimulants are a type of drugs that are effective in treating ADHD. These drugs help improve concentration and attention by altering certain neurotransmitters within the brain, including dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals regulate the prefrontal cortex, often called the "secretary of the brain" because it aids in organizing and planning abilities.

Stimulants come in short and long-acting doses. The short-acting medicines peak within 30 to 45 minutes and need to be taken two or three times per every day. Amphetamines such as Adderall and Dexedrine and methylphenidates such as Ritalin, Concerta and Ritalin are among them. Amphetamines can be more powerful and last longer than methylphenidates however, they both function in the same way to improve attention and focus. There are also extended-release versions of certain stimulant medications. They are a better option since they last from 8 to 12 hours, and are typically taken once a day. Some of these medicines are powders that is mixed with liquid to create a drink, while others are pills.

It can take time to find the right medication for your child or yourself. Your doctor will watch how you react to different kinds of medications and will adjust the dosage as needed. The use of medication should be part of an overall treatment plan that includes support and behavioral therapy.

Non-stimulant ADHD medication takes a longer to take effect but it can make you feel more in control, improve your impulsivity and concentration and increase your focus. These medications don't affect dopamine and norepinephrine the same as stimulants do, and therefore are safer to use over a longer period of time. They can also have fewer side effects, such as heartburn, constipation and a decreased sex drive. Strattera is the first of these medications that was approved by the FDA to treat ADHD. It's an inhibitor of the selective reuptake of norepinephrine. Your doctor may prescribe other medicines from this class, including the guanfacine (Intuniv) and Clonidine (Kapvay).

There are also non-stimulant antidepressants that can be prescribed off-label to treat ADHD. Tricyclic antidepressants from the past, such as Tofranil(imipramine) are used to treat ADHD. Doctors only recommend these drugs if stimulants and other non-stimulants fail to work or cause too many adverse consequences.

Your doctor may prescribe the atomoxetine (Prozac) or viloxazine (Risperdal). These drugs don't have an immediate effect, but help reduce impulsivity and improve concentration over time. They're in a different drug category than the other options and can trigger some adverse effects, such as shaking hands or headaches. Your doctor might also recommend the use of a small dose of an antidepressant known as bupropion (Wellbutrin) that is not a FDA-approved treatment for ADHD but read more can be effective to improve concentration and decrease impulsivity. It may cause some uncomfortable but not usually serious adverse effects, including hearing ringing or changes in vision.